THE ATHLETIC IMPACT
W
ith 25 varsity teams at the University of Pikeville, student-athletes account for 49.6 percent of the undergraduate population. Their positive influence can be felt in the classroom, on the field and within the community. UPIKE has graduated more than 1,500 athletes since 2000. The impact of these athletes does not end with graduation. Those athletes and the alumni before them transfer the leadership, discipline and communication skills they learned on the field to boardrooms, classrooms and beyond. Since its announcement in the spring of 2022, with efficient planning and a commitment to providing opportunities for student-athletes as soon as possible, the university has been strategically planning the layout for Bear Mountain. This 309-acre area located only a mile and a half from campus will soon become home to football, soccer, tennis, cross country, track and field, archery, softball and baseball. Although there are no athletics buildings on the property yet, the archery and track and field teams have already been able to use Bear Mountain for their fall seasons. Having these facilities in one location will foster a strong sense of community and school spirit while making it more convenient for athletes and sports enthusiasts to access. Moreover, the potential for hosting events and alumni gatherings on Bear Mountain is an exciting prospect, as it can bring the university and the community even closer together. The focus on attracting talented athletes and sports-minded students to campus demonstrates a commitment to promoting athletics and advancing a vibrant campus life. Emphasizing the university’s determination to transform its ambitious vision into reality, UPIKE anticipates phase one of this multifaceted project to begin in 2024. This phase will include the construction of a stadium that serves both football and soccer. Future phases of the project will be even more community-centric. Walking paths, baseball and softball fields, along with more spaces designed for shooting sports like archery, and a track and field complex capable of hosting large meets will welcome community members on a daily basis. “Athletics plays a significant role in enrollment, retention and high graduation rates, and it helps shape students into professionals who excel in teamwork and meeting challenges head-on. Enhancing campus facilities and providing a well-rounded educational experience for students is always a top priority for the university,” said President Burton J. Webb, Ph.D. “The football and soccer fields are the beginning of a significant addition to the sports facilities, and we aim to ensure we are planning well for expansion. It will be exciting to see how the project progresses and the benefits it brings to the university and the community in the future.”
CLICK HERE to make a donation to the Bear Mountain project
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UPIKE MAGAZINE | FALL/WINTER 2023
